Montana Common Sense

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

An article posted in Forbes shows just how little Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer cares about agriculture in our state. Schweitzer is trying to raise grazing fees for ranchers using state land to feed their cattle. He is hiding behind the fact that the money is for education, Which don't get me wrong education is a vital part of success for Montana's children. At some point we have to realize that we can't just keep taking from Montana farmers and ranchers. There are many struggling families just trying to make it from year to year. Every time new fees like this are imposed we lose many of them. Raising fees during economic uncertainty is extremely foolish. This possible increase also contradicts statements made earlier this spring stating that no new fees would be imposed. Democrats have lost sight of whats best for Montana. Something needs to be done before its too late.

Original Article:http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/07/19/business-us-grazing-fees-montana_8572422.html

Monday, September 27, 2010

The rumors are running wild out there. The alleged Photos of a naked member of the Montana legislator are real. They were emailed during the 2009 Legislative Session to members of the Legislator.

The member is a freshman Democrat Senator. He allegedly sent these photos to underage girls prior to the last session.

I can honestly say I would never want to see any member of the legislator naked... Yet these pictures are out there. They leave little to the imagination, or so I have heard. I have not seen them.

Members of the Montana media currently have the proof of this-or that’s the word on the street.

This isn't a Ray Steven's tribute naked. This is not one to many beers at the football game-streaking on the football field. This is not too many beers before the St. Patty's Day parade in Butte. This is not too many beers at the Buckin Horse Sale. This not too many rounds of beer pong before cat/griz. This is not too much fun at RockinTheRivers... This is disgusting, vulgar behavior by a member of the Montana Legislator.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

What do Governors Brian Schweitzer and Jan Brewer have in common? Both support writing federal law at the state level.

Case in point, Schweitzer recently announced his intentions to write federal tax laws in Helena. Just like Jan Brewer, Schweitzer says the Feds are asleep at the wheel. “Just because 49 states have failed to do it and just because the federal government and U.S. Congress appear as if they’re lying down on the job doesn’t mean that we will in Montana,” Schweitzer said.

So here is the question, the 10th Amendment says that all powers not given to the Federal Government are reserved to the states. The Constitution, however, the 16th Amendment gives the rights for income taxes and Article 1 Section 7 is dedicated to the power to levy taxes period.

Here is where the Governor runs into trouble. The constitution says, “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.” It makes no mention of the special powers granted to Brian Schweitzer, nor the Governor of Montana.

Schweitzer maybe correct, perhaps these companies do not pay enough in taxes. That is the topic of another discussion. I hope that Judge Donald Molly, who had a nice fluff piece in the gazette today, who applied equal protection to wolves, will do the same with regards to Jan Brewer and Brian Schweitzer.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with Governor Schweitzer, he is not mentioned in the constitution and Drug companies would quickly win a case making any such law unconstitutional. Additionally, one state attacking an industry will quickly kill those jobs in that state.

With 7.5% unemployment, we don’t need more jobs leaving Montana. This is a big issue, and I doubt it is going away.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

As if you needed more proof that the media is pulling the weight for democrats. Tonight’s edition of the KTVQ news is proof. In the first several minutes all they did was show democrat stories.

Example one-During the budget story, they showed Republicans during the bad news. During the hopey-light at the end of the tunnel portion, they show democrats. I know this is not the strongest claim; however, it portrays Republicans in a negative light. In fact they painted a picture the Governor has been trying to paint for months. It brings to mind when Hearst cabled, "Youfurnish thepictures and I'llfurnish thewar.”

A University of Wisconsin J-School study states that, “Potential biases in valance news coverage in each election can be determined by computing the percent of total candidate coverage that favors each candidate.” The study goes on to talk about the amount of negative news for one side versus positive for the other.

Tonight’s KTVQ news has four stories dedicated to Democrats in Montana. The one mentioned above is where it started. Secondly, they dedicate a fluff piece about the Governor’s push for additional taxes and regulations of pharmaceutical companies. Then, we see the governor praising green energy in Montana. Finally, the straw that broke this camel’s back, “Montana Democrats focused on Jobs,” a total fluff piece.

Now, the Governor’s plans for more taxes and regulation of out of state “tax evaders” is a story where the Governor should speak. It is his plan; however, he doesn’t give a lot of details. Going into a shrinking budget, details would be nice. If were going to spend $1000 to collect $100 it is not worth it. If these companies are evading taxes in the millions of dollars-let’s talk. We know Nancy Pelosi’s staffers and Democrat leadership avoids taxes. Oh so does Tim Geithner.

The second story about the new transmission lines is news worthy story; however, continued use of the Governor and only the Governor is bogus. For instance let’s bring in the Jefferson County Attorney who sued the state to get local input? Where is Mr. Johnson? Or would that be a little taxing on the biggest news station in Montana?

Finally, I would have let this all go; however, we show 12 democrats, all up for election this year! This story presents no plan, no solution, and just pretty images… This was a push piece on behalf of the news company. The Democrats stood in a building for Green designs. Any guess on who that company supports?

I doubt will hear about the fairness doctrine on this one… Since it’s not really going to help the demo-rats, it won’t hurt the republicans more.

Well KTVQ, I am glad to see that fairness in media. That stuff Liar McGuire is always spewing about the station Jay Kohn works for…

Monday, September 13, 2010

Hello! I was recently invited to start posting for this blog, and I thought it would be a good idea to introduce myself. I'm a Montana native and have lived here for a majority of my life, but I've also spent significant time in San Francisco, Dallas, and elsewhere. I'll be writing mostly my own thoughts on education, politics, technology, and misc. other issues and hope to spark some good debate.

Feel free to contact me privately, but be aware I will be a few days in responding.client4@hushmail.com

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Yesterday, a jury in Virginia City got it right.Randy Vogel was proven innocent of all charges stemming from an incident last hunting season.The incident in question was fairly ambiguous and obviously couldn’t stand the in the realm of public opinion or in front of a jury.In the end Mr. Vogel and his representation decided to defend themselves on the basis of the incident itself, but for five months leading up to the trial he would not give up on the idea that these charges were politically motivated.Now here in Montana we can’t imagine that a Democratic administration would waste their time to bring frivolous charges about on a prominent staff member of the only Republican in the Congressional delegation.While this hypothesis may be a little far-fetched, there are a couple of facts which need to be explored upon.

First, the day these charges were brought about, March 3, two days after Mr. Vogel took the job as Congressman Rehberg’s State Director.Is it not curious that these charges stemming from an incident which took place two or three months before were just served on March 3, in coincidence with the job announcement?It was a classic moment when Rehberg challenger Dennis McDonald spoke about the case on the morning of March 3 BEFORE the citations were filed; basically admitting that he had prior knowledge of the political release.

Secondly, we need to remember the amount of Democratic Party officials who have been put into prominent positions in state government.Some of the most notable include Sen. Mike Cooney as Labor and Industry Department Administrator, Rep. Dave McAlpin as State Crime Lab Administrator, Sen. Jesse Laslovich as an attorney in the State Auditor’s office, and finally, Rep. Art Noonan as Deputy Director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.Oddly enough, Rep. Noonan was appointed, not elected to the legislature in place of Rep. Groesbeck, who passed away suddenly before the 2009 Legislative Session.Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party under Chairman Dennis McDonald.

This isn’t the only incident where political motivations have come into play, remember also in March, a 37-year well respected state worker at the Department of Commerce was forced to retire early (a mere 20 days early) because he answered the questions of a Republican state legislator about questionable delays in grants to local governments.This type of politicizing people’s lives is not strange to the Democrats under Dennis McDonald – last year after The Night of the Boat Wreck, Mr. McDonald began issuing press releases almost daily attacking Rehberg, without any sympathy for other passengers still in critical condition.

After its coming end in November, the McDonald reign over the Democratic Party in Montana will be remembered as one without regard for facts and one without any thought but political gain in mind.It is the people of Montana who are currently paying for absurd poaching charges and a policy that everyone is expendable in the realm of political posturing.